After nearly six years of calling New Mexico home, I finally had the opportunity to rise above the landscape in a hot air balloon. The Land of Enchantment is famous for many things, including diverse landscapes, great food (my car’s license plate says Chile Capital of the World), the TV show Breaking Bad, and hot air balloons.

Hot air balloons fly in New Mexico because the weather is simply superb. Dawn flights are the norm, with clear skies, low humidity, and low wind common early mornings, usually changing by mid-day. Plus, the topography throughout the state is often vast and empty, with rolling hills and mountains that are stunning on the ground and breathtaking by air.

While I have avoided the big Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta because I don’t like huge crowds, I did witness the mass ascension driving to Albuquerque to witness the October 8, 2023, annular solar eclipse. Several times, I’ve attended smaller balloon gatherings of Balloons over Angel Fire and Taos Mountain Balloon Rally and enjoyed the show from the ground. Watching dozens of colorful, bright balloons unfold, fill with hot air, and rise into the morning sky (with help from dozens of ground crew people) is a fun way to begin your day.

Me and Stella at Balloons over Angel Fire, 2022 . a7rIII | Noct-Nikkor 58mm f/1.2 AI-S

Kelly and Stella at Balloons over Angel Fire, 2023 . a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

Almost ready for launch. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

I jumped at the opportunity when I was informed that I could represent Angel Fire Resort at the 2024 Balloons over Angel Fire and go up for a ride. I’ve taken photos of balloons from the ground, but being able to experience a ride and take photos would be a unique opportunity.

I arrived at Angel Fire Airport at ~6:30 AM, saw friends, and snapped photos of balloons getting ready to go. I met my pilot, Bill Lee of X-Treme-Lee Fun Balloon, a pilot and a Balloon Meister in charge of and coordinating all Balloon Activities at a Balloon Festival.

I helped with his team’s need to unload, unfold, and lay that balloon on the ground. After that, the basket riders stand in is attached to the balloon wires, and its fuel tanks are loaded and prepped. A powerful fan fills the balloon with air. After it was inflated enough, the pilot, Bill, used the large burners in the basket and aimed into the balloon to make the air hot. As the flames heat the interior air, the inside becomes lighter than the surrounding cool air, and almost like magic, the large colorful balloon floats up, standing the basket upright! After a few more checks, Bill invited me and two other passengers inside the basket. Once the ground crew let go, with a few long bursts from the balloon burners, we effortlessly floated into the sky with many other balloons.

Filling the balloon with hot air. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

Filling the balloon with hot air, almost ready to fly. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

Floating in the morning sky over Angel Fire was a very unique experience. We bobbed up and down and circled the airport as the winds, and I assume, Bill controlled what he could. There were no sudden movements like a rollercoaster; it was all very slow and mellow. As we floated down, Bill would use the balloon’s burners to add hot air, causing us to rise. I was surprised by the heights, and being in a vehicle with limited controls didn’t bother me; I expected to be a bit nervous, but I felt safe and relaxed the whole time thanks to the tranquil nature of the ride, except for the burns. They were hard to ignore as they were loud and hot! You could feel the heat radiate down, almost making you want to duck to escape it. After ~25 minutes in the air, Bill began looking for a place to land.

Slowly rising from the ground. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

High above the crowds and Angel Fire Airport. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

Floating slowly back down, before gaining altitude again. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

Higher again and the wind blew us to the east. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

The morning sky, full of balloons. a7rIII | Canon FD 24mm f/1.4 L

A quick balloon selfie. a7rIII | Canon FD 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye

Balloon Pilot Bill Lee. a7rIII | Canon FD 15mm f/2.8 Fisheye

Bill had to rely on what he expected the wind to do to land. As predicted, he floated us inches over a fence and vegetation and placed us near the runway on the airport’s north side. His team came with their truck and trailer to pack everything up. I stuck around to lend a hand and do what they told me to help fold the balloon and load it into a large bag. As a team, we loaded everything in the back of their trailer.

It was an exciting and incredible experience to ride in a hot air balloon, be hands-on with the set-up and tear-down, and just have a new experience. If you want to do a hot air balloon flight over New Mexico, I’d say go for it!

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Sky High in the Land of Enchantment: A Hot Air Balloon Experience